Packed programme as Duke turns 93

The Duke of Edinburgh turns 93 tomorrow and shows no signs of slowing down amid a packed programme of engagements.

Philip has a busy run of events coming up this week despite having just returned from a high profile three day state visit to France to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

This evening, he is set to join the Queen at a reception at Buckingham Palace to recognise the UK's innovative technology sector.

He will spend part of his birthday on Tuesday at a Palace garden party, when 8,000 invited guests will descend on the royal residence to take tea in the 40 acre gardens.

The rest of the week remains hectic including an overseas day trip to Germany on Thursday to present campaign medals in Fallingbostel in his role as Royal Colonel, of The Highlanders, Fourth Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

On Wednesday, Philip, as founder of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Association, will hold the World Fellowship 27th Anniversary Dinner at Windsor Castle, while on Friday he visits Hindleap Warren Outdoor Education Centre in Sussex and then c hairs the Senior Colonel's Conference at Buckingham Palace.

The busy diary rounds off on Saturday when the royals are out in force for Trooping the Colour - the Queen's official birthday parade.

But next week, the Queen, who turned 88 in April, and the Duke will also take part in the annual Order of the Garter service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The next day sees the start of Royal Ascot week, which the monarch and Philip usually attend.

Last week, the royal couple travelled by Eurostar to France for a three day trip, which saw them pay their respect to the nation's war dead in Paris, head to Normandy for the D-Day commemorations including lunch with heads of state and world leaders and then return to Paris where the Queen received the 'special honour' of having a flower market named after her.

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They rushed home so as not to miss attending the Investec Derby day at Epsom, Surrey - one of the Queen's favourite events in the horse racing calendar.

The Duke's busy schedule contrasts greatly with his previous two birthdays.

Last year, he spent his 92nd birthday in hospital after undergoing abdominal surgery. He stayed at the London Clinic for 11 days and spent two months convalescing.

In 2012, he left hospital just the day before his 91st birthday after falling ill with a bladder infection during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and pulled out of several engagements in order to recuperate.

In May this year, the Duke had a 'minor procedure' carried out on his right hand at Buckingham Palace and was seen wearing a bandage to protect it. His engagements continued as planned.

His 93rd birthday will be celebrated by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery who will fire a 41-gun salute from London's Hyde Park at noon on Tuesday to mark the occasion.

An hour later the Honourable Artillery Company will fire a 62-gun salute from Gun Wharf at the Tower of London, with the extra guns a tribute from the citizens of the City of London.

Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born on the island of Corfu on June 10, 1921, to Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenburg.

His early years were marked by upheaval after the Duke's family went into exile following a military coup in Greece which overthrew Philip's uncle, King Constantine I.

He moved to England to stay with relatives and study at Cheam Prep School in 1928, before spending a year at Salem School in south Germany, then finally enrolling at Gordonstoun School in Morayshire.

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Philip went on to join the Royal Navy and, while a cadet, he caught the eye of a 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth. He served with distinction during the Second World War and his friendship with the Princess grew into love and they married in 1947. Five years later, George VI died and Princess Elizabeth became Queen.

The Duke is the longest serving consort in British history and also the oldest serving partner of a reigning monarch.

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